| abstract |
An assembly for introducing intra-aortic balloons and the like into a body artery and comprising a thin, splittable sheath positioned within the artery. An intra-aortic balloon and balloon catheter are inserted into the femoral artery through the introducer sheath. An adapter is slidably mounted upon the balloon catheter and is provided with cutters for splitting the thin introducer sheath, which is at least partially withdrawn from the body once the intra-aortic balloon is in place. The adapter is provided with a silicone seal which provides a sliding, blood-tight seal between the adapter and the balloon catheter. The adapter may be provided with a retainer for releasably supporting an annular elastic member to hold the percutaneous sheath tightly in place about the adapter body to provide a blood-tight seal therebetween. The resilient element may further include a self-contained suture or a groove for receiving a suture to further tighten the percutaneous sheath about the adapter, providing a blood-tight seal between sheath and adapter and between adapter and balloon catheter. The sheath may be scored to facilitate splitting and thereby eliminate the need for a cutter. The sheath may be provided with a "handle portion" or a pre-cut slit to initiate splitting of the sheath. |